Cities want to combat housing shortage with pre-emption rights
A lack of building land is a major reason for the shortage of housing for many cities and communities. Pre-emption rights could be a solution in their view.
Two-thirds of cities and urban communities have too little housing, according to a survey conducted by Wüest Partner on behalf of the Federal Office of Housing (BWO) and the Swiss Association of Cities (SSV). According to the BWO, 59 cities took part in the survey.
Two-thirds of cities have too little housing
Around two-thirds of the cities rate the supply of available housing as "far too small" or "somewhat too small". In addition to housing offers in the lower price segment, there is also a lack of opportunities to purchase residential property. The situation is perceived as particularly tight in the large cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.
68 percent of the cities surveyed say they give away land under building law, linking this to conditions such as favorable rents. However, more than 80 percent of the cities also say that they have too few building land reserves. Land purchases fail in particular because of high market prices.
80 percent see preemption rights as a solution
The survey further shows that 60 percent of the cities surveyed see a "high" or "very high need for action" at the federal policy level. As a possible solution, they most frequently named a right of first refusal for building land and properties (80 percent). Nearly 70 percent of respondents also believe that rents can be curbed if the previous rent is made transparent when a tenant changes hands, according to a BWO statement.
On May 12, a round table chaired by Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin will address the issue of housing shortages. Among others, representatives of the cantons, cities and municipalities as well as the construction and real estate industry are invited. (ah)
